Arsenal 1-0 Spurs - Andre's view

Andre Villas-Boas praised the team for a courageous performance despite Sunday’s derby loss at Arsenal.

We pushed the Gunners back for long periods in the second half but couldn’t find a goal to cancel out Olivier Giroud’s strike in the 23rd minute.

Indeed, the ball wouldn’t fall for us throughout - Per Mertesacker threw himself to block the best chance of the first half from Roberto Soldado, who later saw a goalbound effort hit Mertesacker on the shoulder and bounce to safety.

Wojceich Szczesny saved well from Jermain Defoe, Kyle Walker couldn’t get hold of a half-chance in front of goal and it looked for all the world that a scramble would end in a clear-cut opportunity, but it didn’t happen for us.

At the other end, Hugo Lloris was outstanding as the Gunners posed a constant threat on the break.

It just wasn’t to be though as we conceded our first goal and suffered our first loss of the campaign.

“We had some problems in the first 25 minutes, they played with great pace and gained momentum from a couple of early free-kicks,” reflected Andre.

“As soon as we settled into the game we did well. We created chances in the first half, but not clear-cut chances.

“In the second half we showed great determination, the players played with real courage in the Emirates to push Arsenal towards their own goal.

“To make Arsenal finish with four full-backs shows how strong we were in the second half, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to score.

“We had a couple of good chances, not clear-cut, but if we were a little more clinical or one of those balls finished at the feet of our player instead of theirs, it would have been a goal.

“It’s very fine margins. Arsenal did well because they closed the spaces down and in the end, it was difficult for us to break through.

“I think bearing in mind the way we finished, we should have got something out of the game.”